luxury listed properties for sale Douvaine, France

A SECLUDED CHATEAU IN BOURG-EN-BRESSE In Bourg-en-Bresse, a tree-lined driveway leads to a 17th-century chateau. Set back from the street and surrounded by over 2 hectares of land, the property offers 372 m² of living space, two spacious open-plan living rooms, six bedrooms, and several ancillary spaces, including two independent apartments. Surrounding the property is a flat park planted with mature trees, a domed swimming pool, and a complex of outbuildings. The property combines immediate residential use with potential for transformation. A CHÂTEAU, BETWEEN A PRIVATE DRIVEWAY AND CROSSING COURTYARDS The private driveway, lined with tall trees, gradually screens the property from the street and creates an initial distance from the urban rhythm. The gate marks the entrance, then the gravel path leads to an open courtyard, now used to accommodate several vehicles during family gatherings or extended stays. The château, built starting in 1378 and remodeled in the 17th century, features inscribed facades, distinctive roofs, and a listed central vestibule that immediately defines the space. Upon entering, the eye travels through the building from one end to the other and reaches a second park at the rear, used as an outdoor reception area on sunny days. The stone staircase, with its ornate wrought-iron railing, facilitates daily movement between the levels and becomes a constant point of reference in the life of the house. The ground-floor rooms now serve as reception areas, with two spacious living rooms used for large gatherings, extended evenings, or quieter moments during the day. The east- and west-facing windows allow one to follow the rhythm of the day, from breakfast on the garden side to extended late afternoons on the courtyard side. LIVING SPACES AT THE HEART OF TWO WOODED PARKS, RIGHT IN THE CITY From the living rooms, the view sweeps across the property, placing the château at the center of two distinct parks that flank it on either side. To the west, a first flat park of approximately 8,500 m² extends directly from the living areas and accommodates the most spontaneous activities?outdoor meals, games, and free movement?under the shade of ancient trees, including a sequoia planted over 150 years ago. This space is immediately accessible and supports daily outdoor living. To the east, the sequence begins with a more structured courtyard, organized around a fountain, a pond, and an in-ground pool protected by a dome?used for much of the year?and then extends toward a second, flatter park of over 6,000 m², which is more open and provides an additional, more secluded space to breathe. The château is thus situated between these two landscape entities, one oriented toward immediate living, the other toward a broader openness. In the immediate vicinity, the outbuildings cover over 900 m² of floor space across two levels, with a restored roof structure and a new roof, and now house storage, a workshop, and parking. BETWEEN INDEPENDENT SPACES AND FUTURE PROJECTS The castle, on a human scale, now offers 372 m² of living space spread over two levels, with a layout designed for daily use. The upper floor features six bedrooms, suitable for family life or hosting guests for extended stays, with three bathrooms already in place. A built-in library provides a quiet retreat, while the layout ensures privacy for everyone during longer stays. The open, fully equipped kitchen is supported by a pantry and a laundry room located on the ground floor. Two independent apartments, measuring 50 m² and 40 m², allow for hosting guests or providing separate living quarters, depending on the time of year. The fully fenced property, spanning over 20,000 m², also includes enclosed garages and numerous outdoor parking spaces, making it easy to accommodate visitors. The proposed work is part of a plan for gradual development, suitable for a second home, a gathering place, or business development. AGENCY'S OPINION This château occupies a unique position in Bourg-en-Bresse, with an urban address yet a sense of seclusion created by the driveway, walls, and building volumes. The listed vestibule sets the tone from the moment you enter and provides a lasting framework for the experience of the place. The grounds and outbuildings create a second layer of interpretation, oriented toward future development and potential uses. The property already functions as a residence, while retaining a genuine capacity for transformation.